After bringing Minico to the first state championship game appearance in school history, Tim Perrigot stepped aside following 22 years on the sideline. Perrigot will now head over to Wendell for a superintendent position, opening an opportunity for first year head coach Keelan McCaffrey.

For a school which has become accustomed to playoff appearances year in and year out, the task for McCaffrey will be to replace some of the most talented offensive players in the history of Minico football.

All-around athlete Colter May will get the chance to not only be a standout return man this year, but also a staple of the offense out of the backfield as a running back. If May can get into the open field he is an explosive athlete who can cause headaches for opposing defensive coordinators.

Junior running back Rylan Chandler is another guy who should get a heavy workload out of the backfield.

With quarterback John Perrigot having graduated, Minico will go with junior Connor Stocking for the signal caller duties.

Despite the new coach, the Spartans will stick with the wing-t offense, implementing the shotgun at times as well.

Emulating the success of the past couple of seasons will be tough with the losses of so many talented playmakers.

“We have to replace multiple playmakers in space [and] we have a young offensive line,” added McCaffrey.

Far more returns for Minico on the defensive side of the ball, where the team shouldn’t miss much of a beat at all with the former Idaho State University linebacker McCaffrey helping lead the unit.

Outside of the defensive line, everybody is back on defense.

“The back seven are all returning and eight defensive starters return. We will run a 4-3 scheme. Mason Harwood will be the only returner on the defensive front. Francisco Paz, Carson Schow and Kaden Ball return in the secondary. Kasen Jones and Ethan Aguinaga will anchor the middle,” said McCaffrey.

He wants to see the pressure ramped up on opposing quarterbacks. No matter what, there is no question the defense will lead the way for the Spartans.

“[They] are a bunch of physical kids and will be the anchor,” added McCaffrey.

The challenge ahead of the team as a whole is one that excites the new head coach.

“Excited to have the opportunity to open up in Holt Arena in The Rocky Mountain Rumble against Kirtland Central (NM). Additionally, excited for the new conference and the added competition of Century, Preston and Pocatello. We are a hungry team that returns the majority of the kids from last year’s state title game roster. We have a new coaching staff mixed in with veteran coaches and new coordinators. Junior quarterback Connor Stocking will control the offense, with Colter May at running back [and] a mix of new young talent in Rylan Chandler.”

The Spartans get the east pod portion of their conference schedule underway at home in a rivalry matchup with Tony Cade’s Burley Bobcats. That game will be broadcast live and free on IdahoSports.com.